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From "Thick" to 1st Class: A Bespoke Study System for the ADHD Brain

By Emma Craven – BSc (Hons) Psychology Student & Neurodiversity Ambassador

"I don't study 'harder'—I study differently. This toolkit is the scaffolding that allows my 1st Class academic potential to shine through the fog of ADHD."

1. THE DISCOVERY PHASE: Finding the "Original Perspective"

• Research Rabbit: My "Spotify for Research." It visualizes the connections between papers, helping me "join the dots" and find the original perspectives that earn top marks.

• Scholarly: I use this to get a "flashcard" breakdown of dense literature. It highlights key findings so I don't get lost in 30-page PDFs.

• ChatPDF: My AI research assistant. I ask it specific questions about a paper to find quotes or data instantly.

2. THE PLANNING PHASE: Building the Architecture

• MindView (The Secret Weapon): I map out my "messy" ideas visually. I include research notes and ADHD real-world examples.

• The "Magic" Export: I export my MindView map directly into a Microsoft Word outline. This kills "blank page paralysis" instantly.

• Zotero: I outsource my bibliography to Zotero. It handles the referencing so I can focus on the psychology.

3. THE PROCESSING PHASE: Learning Without Burnout

• Text-to-Audio (Speechify/NaturalReader): I listen to 100% of my academic texts. If I can't hear it, I don't read it.

• The "De-Jargon" Filter: I never start a task until I’ve translated the academic brief into plain, actionable English.

• Grammarly: My safety net for spelling and grammar, allowing my writing to keep up with my fast-moving thoughts.

4. THE WRITING PHASE: Turning Hyperfocus into 1st Class Grades

• Body Doubling: I work alongside peers via video call. The "social anchor" keeps me in the chair during the gruelling writing stages.

• Interest-Based Novelty: I weave real-world insights into ADHD into my assignments to keep the subject matter "alive" and engaging.

• The Pomodoro Method: I work in short, timed bursts to manage my energy levels and prevent the post-submission burnout.

📢 THE ADVOCATE’S EDGE: Three Golden Rules

1. Ask for Help: I am confident in my ability, but I know I need external accountability. I reach out to set small, achievable weekly goals.

2. Self-Advocate: I use tailored academic adjustments created with my university. I don’t fit the "one-size-fits-all" box, and I’m proud of that.

3. Community over Isolation: As a Student Rep and Inclusion Panel member, I know that sharing these tools is how we reframe the narrative for everyone.

Connect with the ADHD Reframed Project

• Website: [Your Website Link]

• Follow my Journey: [Social Media Handles]

• Advocacy: Ambassador for the Neurodiversity Network.